CVE-2022-34662 is a medium-severity vulnerability classified as CWE-22, which refers to improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as a path traversal vulnerability. This vulnerability affects Apache DolphinScheduler, an open-source distributed workflow scheduling platform developed by the Apache Software Foundation. The issue arises when authenticated users add resources to the resource center using a relative path. Due to insufficient validation or sanitization of the pathname, attackers can exploit this flaw to traverse directories outside the intended resource directory. This can potentially allow them to access unauthorized files on the server's filesystem. The vulnerability requires the attacker to be logged in (privileged access), but does not require any user interaction beyond that. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N) indicates that the attack can be performed remotely over the network with low attack complexity, requires privileges (logged-in user), no user interaction, and impacts confidentiality with high impact, but does not affect integrity or availability. No known exploits in the wild have been reported as of the published date (November 2022). The recommended remediation is to upgrade to Apache DolphinScheduler version 3.0.0 or higher, where this vulnerability has been addressed. This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive files on the server, which may include configuration files, credentials, or other critical data, potentially enabling further attacks or data breaches.

For European organizations using Apache DolphinScheduler, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of sensitive data. Since the vulnerability allows authenticated users to perform path traversal attacks, insider threats or compromised user accounts could be leveraged to access restricted files. This could lead to exposure of sensitive business information, intellectual property, or personal data protected under GDPR regulations, resulting in legal and financial consequences. Additionally, unauthorized access to configuration files or credentials could facilitate lateral movement within the network or further compromise of systems. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure that rely on Apache DolphinScheduler for workflow automation are particularly at risk. The medium severity score reflects that while the attack requires authentication, the ease of exploitation and potential data exposure make it a noteworthy threat. Lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate urgency but does not eliminate the risk, especially in targeted attacks or insider misuse scenarios.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading Apache DolphinScheduler to version 3.0.0 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. Until the upgrade is applied, organizations should implement strict access controls to limit who can add resources to the resource center, ensuring only trusted and necessary users have such privileges. Monitoring and logging of resource addition activities should be enhanced to detect any suspicious attempts to use relative paths or unusual file access patterns. Employing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block path traversal attempts can provide an additional layer of defense. Regular audits of user permissions and session management should be conducted to reduce the risk of compromised accounts being used to exploit this vulnerability. Furthermore, organizations should review and harden file system permissions on servers hosting DolphinScheduler to minimize the impact of any unauthorized file access. Finally, integrating vulnerability scanning and patch management processes to promptly identify and remediate such vulnerabilities is essential.